Marc Marquez turned in yet another masterpiece today in Brno, earning a record pole position despite having to overtake Valentino Rossi during his flying lap.

After a successful setting change during the FP4, Marc was able to record the second-fastest lap time on his first flying lap in qualifying. When he went out for his second and final attempt, he was even faster in the second and third sectors as he quickly chased down Pol Espargaro and Rossi and finally moved between the two through the final corner to set the fastest lap ever at the Czech track. With his 63rd pole position, Marc today equals Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in career poles.

Dani Pedrosa recorded the fastest time in QP1, and although the time he set later in Q2 was a bit slower, he confirmed the improvements made compared to this morning’s session, qualifying on the third row with the ninth-best lap time, just over three tenths from a second-row spot.

Marc Marquez

Pole Position

“I honestly didn’t expect to get this pole position. I saw myself fighting for second place or to be on the front row, which was our main objective. Jorge [Lorenzo] had a great lap this morning that I believed would be difficult to match, but I was able to find a good reference that helped me during the qualifying session. Pol [Espargaró] and Valentino [Rossi] were in front, and I was able to take advantage of their slipstream and overtake them in the final corner without losing time. In the end we did a very good time and I’m especially happy with how FP4 went, as we took a step forward in terms of our pace. We’ve completely changed the setup and things have gone much better. If the race is dry tomorrow it gives me hope, because I was finding things tough. If it rains then it will be more difficult, but I’m happy because we’re competitive.”

Dani Pedrosa

9th

“We tried several things with the bike’s setup between yesterday and today, but this morning we didn't manage to perform as well as we were hoping for and I had to pass through Q1. That went well but unfortunately we weren’t able to improve in Q2. We now have to understand which direction will be better to follow for tomorrow, depending also on what weather we’ll have. We’ll do our best to get the maximum in the race.”

MotoGP 2016Saturday, August 20th 2016

Qualifying
Round 11
Gran Prix Ćeské republikyCzech Republic

Results Session

Sunny

Humidity

62%

Track Temp

38°C

Air Temp

24°C

Pos.

Rider

Num

Nation

Team

Constructor

Time/Gap

1

Marquez Marc

93

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

1'54.596

2

Lorenzo Jorge

99

SPA

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Yamaha

1'54.849

3

Iannone Andrea

29

ITA

Ducati Team

Ducati

1'55.227

4

Espargaro Aleix

41

SPA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

1'55.324

5

Barbera Hector

8

SPA

Avintia Racing

Ducati

1'55.437

6

Rossi Valentino

46

ITA

Yamaha

1'55.509

7

Dovizioso Andrea

4

ITA

Ducati Team

Ducati

1'55.748

8

Vinales Maverick

25

SPA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

1'55.787

9

Pedrosa Dani

26

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

1'55.841

10

Crutchlow Cal

35

GBR

Honda

1'55.930

11

Smith Bradley

38

GBR

Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Yamaha

1'56.115

12

Espargaro Pol

44

SPA

Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Yamaha

1'56.522

13

Petrucci Danilo

9

ITA

Octo Pramac Yakhnich

Ducati

1'56.148

14

Redding Scott

45

GBR

Octo Pramac Yakhnich

Ducati

1'56.263

15

Laverty Eugene

50

IRE

Aspar Team

Ducati

1'56.535

16

Bradl Stefan

6

GER

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

Aprilia

1'56.718

17

Baz Loris

76

FRA

Avintia Racing

Ducati

1'56.797

18

Hernandez Yonny

68

COL

Aspar Team

Ducati

1'56.805

19

Bautista Alvaro

19

SPA

Aspar Team

Ducati

1'57.062

20

Rabat Tito

53

SPA

EG 0,0 Marc VDS

Honda

1'57.606

Gallery

Images are copyright but free for editorial use.

Location Information

The world’s most famous riders have taken part in GP events in Brno since 1930, where up until 1982 they would race through the villages and western parts of the city on a road track named after the first Czechoslovak President – T.G. Masaryk. The only venue that has hosted… read more.

Location Information

The world’s most famous riders have taken part in GP events in Brno since 1930, where up until 1982 they would race through the villages and western parts of the city on a road track named after the first Czechoslovak President – T.G. Masaryk. The only venue that has hosted… read more.